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Vacuum Web Coating

Blogmaster: Dr. Charles A. Bishop

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System issues

23

Process stability – is any vacuum process stable?

Posted by Charles Bishop on September 23, 2011
  Firstly pumping the system down is often a variable.  The pumping is balanced against the various system leaks, real and virtual, as well as the gas load from the outgassing of the substrate and system.  This outgassing is not a constant.  The rate of water outgassing from the...

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20

Should I buy new, second-hand or upgrade an existing but old system?

Posted by Charles Bishop on May 20, 2011
This question always seems to be floating around but never seems to get a compelling answer one way or the other. Here are some thoughts on why the answer is always open to debate. I have a certain sympathy with the attitude of ‘if it ain’t broke don’t fix it’ and can see ...

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16

Using solvents in vacuum systems

Posted by Charles Bishop on January 16, 2011
Here are a few thoughts on using solvents to clean surfaces within vacuum systems. Firstly, there are all the health and safety issues to consider. Solvents evaporate and should not be breathed in, not should they be allowed skin contact, and so it is preferable to wear protective clothing such as g...

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09

Coating uniformity and system symmetry

Posted by Charles Bishop on December 9, 2010
Over the last few years a number of metallizing companies have worked on developing a method for adding oxygen to convert the aluminium metal to aluminium oxide to make a transparent barrier coating.  This has not been without problems and it occurred to me that one potential problem might be b...

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08

A problem of scoring on the deposition drum

Posted by Charles Bishop on November 8, 2010
Question: Please let me know how we can remove / repair the scoring marks on the chiller drum? Is scoring on drum a regular problem faced by most of the metallizers and how do they get rid of this once the problem is faced? Answer: Scoring is a common problem although many who have experienced...

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18

Oil and vacuum systems

Posted by Charles Bishop on July 18, 2010
As there are a number of moving parts inside any roll to roll vacuum coater it is important that bearings are lubricated. Similarly of you are using rotary vane and diffusion pumps an essential part of the pumping system is the oil.  However from the standpoint of adhesion of any coating oil is...

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Posted in: Process, Pumping, System issues
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Blogmaster

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Dr. Charles A. Bishop

Charles is a toolmaker by trade after completing a mechanical engineering apprenticeship. He then entered University and obtained a Bachelors degree in materials engineering with a Diploma in Industrial Studies. During his final year he first started work on vacuum based research, helping develop a process for manufacturing titanium based bone implants for tendon location. He went on to obtain a Masters degree and Doctorate following further research into vacuum deposition processes. During this time and as a postgraduate he also worked as a consultant.

Charles next spent time in industry working for various divisions of ICI including polyesters, nylon, Imagedata, Flex Products Inc., and explosives as well as contributing to other projects. In 1998 he took the opportunity to return to consultancy work and set up his own company.

Charles has more than 30 years experience in vacuum deposition mainly onto flexible webs. He has regularly contributed papers to conferences and recently has edited this blog on behalf of AIMCAL as well as being one of their presenters for various webinars and the more formal Converting School courses.

Charles has also published 2 books, Vacuum deposition onto webs, films and foils and Roll-to-roll vacuum deposition of barrier coatings.